Stocksbridge started sluggishly, allowing Halifax to dominate the first 20 minutes. Some early discipline issues gave Halifax good territory, and as they broke the defensive line the cover defence was unable to prevent a try in the corner. They missed the conversion to take a 5 point lead.

Halifax added two penalties before Stocksbridge could reply, one coming after a superb run from the Halifax winger, from his inside his own half, who almost ran in for the try himself.

It was at this point Bridge began to match Halifax’s intensity, and they would score two tries before half time. The first coming from a trademark Stocksbridge line out drive, and as the forwards splintered off to attack the defence Paul Kelly put Sam Whitaker (sponsored by The Business Hair Salon) through a hole to score from 5 metres.

Stocksbridge piled on the pressure and forced a knock on as Halifax attempted to exit from their line. A lovely 8-9 move from the resulting scrum saw Stefan Kazmierski (sponsored by Brian Mills Decorating Services) run in unopposed in the corner to make the scores 11-10 in Halifax's favour at the break.

Bridge came out of the blocks firing in the second half, quickly adding a third try. After another 8-9 move in the midfield Frith chipped the ball ahead into the 22, dribbling out for a defensive line out on the 5 metre line for Halifax. Halifax were unable to clear any real distance, and Stocksbridge brought the ball down from their line out and soon found a way over the line with Liam Roebuck (sponsored by S&S Goodly Agricultural Services). The conversion was made from out wide by Bowskill to give them a 17-11 lead.

Stocksbridge went in search of the bonus point try, yet after several set piece opportunities in the Halifax 22 they lacked the final piece of precision needed to seal the full 5 point win on the day.

Stocksbridge have an opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone this weekend as they host Harrogate, who are only 1 point above them in the league. Head Coach Gam added; “we’ve exceeded expectations so far, we’ve worked extremely hard and now our destiny is in our own hands. We need everybody behind us going into these final two matches.”

Try scorer Stefan left with the Man of the Match award, looking dangerous with ball in hand throughout and displaying his solid defence when Halifax attacked his wing.

Match report by Michael Quinn